William III sixpences, 1697. Made in Chester as identified by the C on the mint mark. We have these coins tested by the Royal Mint in the Wales. The test results show this is 10 ct gold.

The assessment could not confirm whether these are original silver sixpences that were plated subsequently, or whether they are a 10ct gold amalgam.

Sixpences were considered lucky coins in England, and were often carried by soldiers in their epaulettes. The plating of gold coins from that era is also reasonably common, as I have seen much earlier silver coins as far back as the 14th C which were subsequently plated and obviously carried on a person as a memento.

Another intriguing hypothesis may be as follows: The Chester mint was originally set up by William III to increase production of coins to fund the war effort in the Low Lands on the continent. After producing coins for a number of years, the Chester mint, upon orders to close down activities, was in such a disarray that the inventories of precious metals and the coins produced did not tally. An audit report and accounts took several years to be produced after its closure in the late 17th C. It would not surprise me if these were made with the original dies by a former employee of the mint, as a keepsake.

An interesting possible history behind a lucky coin.

The coin is in good condition and shows little wear and tear. We would estimate it to be VF based on its condition.

Diameter: 20.56 mm Thickness: 1.06 mm

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